Trying to think of the best way to quantify the Chargers’ easy 26-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Friday night’s preseason finale at Qualcomm Stadium.
Came up with this: it doesn’t exactly make up for Super Bowl XXIX.
Watters Scored 3 TD'sIn the Most Important Chargers-49ers Meeting
Of course, on that evening in January of 1995, the evening of the Bolts’ only Super Bowl appearance, the 49ers had guys like Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Ricky Watters and whole bunch of other studs who beat up and bashed San Diego, 49-26.
None of those guys were wearing red and gold Friday night. Then again, neither were current 49ers starters like stud running back Frank Gore. Starting quarterback Shawn Hill, wide receiver Josh Morgan and linebackers Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes make only token appearances.
Bottom line: 26-7 or not, this wasn’t exactly an evening where one could gage much about the local football squad as it gets ready now to open the 2009 regular season a week from Monday night in Oakland.
Listen to Norv Turner’s postgame comments as the story continues after the jump:
But we did see a few things, probably the most important of which was another solid running effort by veteran Michael Bennett, who probably sealed his spot on the final 53-man roster, which will be released Saturday (for more on that, see below).
Maybe Turner Ought To Listen To Osgood (left) When He Says He Can Play WR
We also saw Kasim Osgood, who’s always telling everybody he can play wide receiver, make a great play as a wide receiver, reaching and twisting to haul in a 39-yard touchdown pass from Billy Volek. Osgood’s TD didn’t come against chopped liver, either. He beat former All-Pro corner Nate Clements on the play.
Maybe Coach Norv Turner ought to give Osgood a shot from time-to-time this season, especially if former No. 1-pick Buster Davis can’t get things rolling.
Listen: Turner comments on the Chargers’ win:
We saw further proof of why preseason games completely and totally suck, as well.
At least that’s what I was thinking when I saw linebacker Kevin Burnett get knocked to the turf in the first quarter, and stay on the turf for quite awhile afterward. Burnett didn’t return to the game, and the early word was that he suffered a neck stinger. Hopefully, he’s ready to answer the bell for the opener. (More) hopefully, the NFL will stop playing so many of these bore-fests in the near future.
Anyway, now all of the preseason playing is over, and the time has come for the Chargers to cut their roster down to 53 players. Everybody has given it their best shot and done their best to impress.
Here’s my selections for the final 53 (and I haven’t seen a single practice or piece of game-tape):
QB (3): Philip Rivers, Volek, Charlie Whitehurst…through Whitehurst didn’t do much to impress, and it wouldn’t shock me if the Chargers found themselves another No. 3 quarterback.
RB (5): LaDainian Tomlinson, Jacob Hester, Darren Sproles, Bennett, Gartrell Johnson…I think Mike Tolbert comes up short because behind Hester, the Bolts have other options to lead-block in the form of tight ends Brandon Manumaleuna and Kris Wilson.
WR (5): Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers, Malcolm Floyd (can’t believe he dropped that TD pass Friday night), Legedu Naanee, Davis.
TE (3): Antonio Gates, Manumaleuna, Wilson…I like rookie Kory Sperry (who caught a nice TD vs. San Francisco) for the practice squad.
OL (8): Marcus McNeill, Kris Dielman, Nick Hardwick, Louis Vasquez, Jeromey Clary, L.J. Shelton, Kynan Forney, Scott Mruczkowski (because he can backup at center).
DL (8): Jacques Cesaire, Jamal Williams, Ryon Bingham, Luis Castillo, Ian Scott, Travis Johnson, Vaughn Martin (barely), Ogemdi Nwagbuo.
LB (9): Shawne Merriman, Stephen Cooper, Burnett, Shaun Phillips, Jyles Tucker, Tim Dobbins, Larry English, Antwan Applewhite, Brandon Siler.
DB (8): Quentin Jammer, Antonio Cromartie, Eric Weddle, Clinton Hart, Steve Gregory (who out-played Hart in the preseason), Paul Oliver, Antoine Cason, Kevin Ellison.
Special Teams (4): Nate Kaeding, Mike Scifres, Osgood, David Binn.
So there’s my 53. To be honest, pretty much the same 53 I would have come up with before the preseason even started.
More proof of what a waste of time the last month of games have been to begin with.
Looking forward to an upcoming story in the @NCTimes on the #Sockers winning streak. Just sent some research to reporter Brian Hiro. 2012-02-14
@SKHansen001 No there were no new medical updates out at the field. The team is watching and waiting just like us. 2012-02-14
I'll post the video of my interview with Coach Mark, who will be the acting head coach, shortly on 619Sports.Net. 2012-02-14
Baseball's the kind of game that you can lose yourself in the craft and help manage the stress of bad news. The #Aztecs are doing just that. 2012-02-14
While everyone is stunned and anxious and praying for Coach Gwynn's recovery, they also are ready to start the season. 2012-02-14
Just got done talking to Coach Mark Martinez at TGS. Team had known about Coach Gwynn's situation for two weeks. 2012-02-14
@hacksaw1090 I'm with you on this one Hacksaw, don't let the haters get you down. We stand with Coach Gwynn. 2012-02-14
Craig Elsten -
Craig@619Sports.net
Chainsaw -
Bolts Rip Niners. And That Means…?
by Chris Ello on September 5, 2009
Trying to think of the best way to quantify the Chargers’ easy 26-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Friday night’s preseason finale at Qualcomm Stadium.
Came up with this: it doesn’t exactly make up for Super Bowl XXIX.
Watters Scored 3 TD'sIn the Most Important Chargers-49ers Meeting
Of course, on that evening in January of 1995, the evening of the Bolts’ only Super Bowl appearance, the 49ers had guys like Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Ricky Watters and whole bunch of other studs who beat up and bashed San Diego, 49-26.
None of those guys were wearing red and gold Friday night. Then again, neither were current 49ers starters like stud running back Frank Gore. Starting quarterback Shawn Hill, wide receiver Josh Morgan and linebackers Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes make only token appearances.
Bottom line: 26-7 or not, this wasn’t exactly an evening where one could gage much about the local football squad as it gets ready now to open the 2009 regular season a week from Monday night in Oakland.
Listen to Norv Turner’s postgame comments as the story continues after the jump:
But we did see a few things, probably the most important of which was another solid running effort by veteran Michael Bennett, who probably sealed his spot on the final 53-man roster, which will be released Saturday (for more on that, see below).
Maybe Turner Ought To Listen To Osgood (left) When He Says He Can Play WR
We also saw Kasim Osgood, who’s always telling everybody he can play wide receiver, make a great play as a wide receiver, reaching and twisting to haul in a 39-yard touchdown pass from Billy Volek. Osgood’s TD didn’t come against chopped liver, either. He beat former All-Pro corner Nate Clements on the play.
Maybe Coach Norv Turner ought to give Osgood a shot from time-to-time this season, especially if former No. 1-pick Buster Davis can’t get things rolling.
Listen: Turner comments on the Chargers’ win:
We saw further proof of why preseason games completely and totally suck, as well.
At least that’s what I was thinking when I saw linebacker Kevin Burnett get knocked to the turf in the first quarter, and stay on the turf for quite awhile afterward. Burnett didn’t return to the game, and the early word was that he suffered a neck stinger. Hopefully, he’s ready to answer the bell for the opener. (More) hopefully, the NFL will stop playing so many of these bore-fests in the near future.
Anyway, now all of the preseason playing is over, and the time has come for the Chargers to cut their roster down to 53 players. Everybody has given it their best shot and done their best to impress.
Here’s my selections for the final 53 (and I haven’t seen a single practice or piece of game-tape):
QB (3): Philip Rivers, Volek, Charlie Whitehurst…through Whitehurst didn’t do much to impress, and it wouldn’t shock me if the Chargers found themselves another No. 3 quarterback.
RB (5): LaDainian Tomlinson, Jacob Hester, Darren Sproles, Bennett, Gartrell Johnson…I think Mike Tolbert comes up short because behind Hester, the Bolts have other options to lead-block in the form of tight ends Brandon Manumaleuna and Kris Wilson.
WR (5): Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers, Malcolm Floyd (can’t believe he dropped that TD pass Friday night), Legedu Naanee, Davis.
TE (3): Antonio Gates, Manumaleuna, Wilson…I like rookie Kory Sperry (who caught a nice TD vs. San Francisco) for the practice squad.
OL (8): Marcus McNeill, Kris Dielman, Nick Hardwick, Louis Vasquez, Jeromey Clary, L.J. Shelton, Kynan Forney, Scott Mruczkowski (because he can backup at center).
DL (8): Jacques Cesaire, Jamal Williams, Ryon Bingham, Luis Castillo, Ian Scott, Travis Johnson, Vaughn Martin (barely), Ogemdi Nwagbuo.
LB (9): Shawne Merriman, Stephen Cooper, Burnett, Shaun Phillips, Jyles Tucker, Tim Dobbins, Larry English, Antwan Applewhite, Brandon Siler.
DB (8): Quentin Jammer, Antonio Cromartie, Eric Weddle, Clinton Hart, Steve Gregory (who out-played Hart in the preseason), Paul Oliver, Antoine Cason, Kevin Ellison.
Special Teams (4): Nate Kaeding, Mike Scifres, Osgood, David Binn.
So there’s my 53. To be honest, pretty much the same 53 I would have come up with before the preseason even started.
More proof of what a waste of time the last month of games have been to begin with.
– Ello
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Tagged as: Billy Volek, Bowl Appearance, Buster Davis, Chopped Liver, Coach Norv Turner, Football Squad, Frank Gore, Michael Bennett, Nate Clements, Postgame Comments, Preseason Finale, Red And Gold, Ricky Watters, San Francisco 49ers, Steve Young, Takeo Spikes, Token Appearances, Touchdown Pass, Week From Monday, Wide Receiver, Yard Touchdown